South African Family Residence Makes The Most Of A Corner Site

Built on a challenging corner site in Clifton, a suburb of Cape Town in South Africa, this flexible family home put to the test the architects of SAOTA studio when they had to design a contemporary and peaceful residence.

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The location allows the house to offer magnificent views of the ocean and bay but also exposes it to the winds, not to mention that, being so close to the road, the privacy and noise became important issues for the project.

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The architects’ response to the site was to elevate the main level on a plinth. This way, the ground floor which contains the guest bedroom, the gym, study and garage was partially set into the site and concealed by vegetation.

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The first and second floors were fragmented and rotated in order to also create an exterior terrace. A glass bridge connects the interior structures. The family room, kitchen, dining area and lounge are all connected to a large terrace and a blue mosaic pool runs the length of this amazing terrace, making the views even more spectacular.

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The entertainment room features a beautiful weathered copper bar with natural stone countertops and a custom laser-cut aluminum screen. A fiery and sculptural light fixture is the focal point of this portion of the room.

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A set of cantilevering concrete stairs connect all three floors. So as you reach the second floor, you find the private zone. It’s where the family bedrooms are located. They all have their own dressing rooms, en-suite bathrooms and private balconies.

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The master bedroom benefits from panoramic views through the floor-to-ceiling windows. It features a custom fireplace and an overall simple and relaxing décor. The en-suite bathroom is bright and open and includes an outside shower.

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By elevating the upper levels, the architects offered them privacy from the road and reduced the noise as well. Plus, the way the house is organized proves that no site can pose problems as long as creative minds are at work.